Excessive wetsumping?

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Before starting up today I drained the sump. I got 1.5 liters of oil out. The bike was last run five weeks ago. Is that a normal amount or do I have a problem (oil pump worn out or ???)

Debby
 
wet sumping

Debby,

1.5 liters is a lot. I get about 1 pint sitting for a week and I'm planning to do some sanding on the pump body this winter.

Good to hear you're Commando fired up. Check the wire contacts on your ignition switch. The female spade connectors on the wires sometime need to be crimped...gently.
 
Debby,

A liter and a half sounds lilke a lot of oil but then five weeks is a long time. At this point, I wouldn't worry too much about it. However, after you work through some of the other issues you might check the clearances in your oil pump.

It's a satisfying experience to drink a Guinness Stout or three while you patiently lap the oil pump body to precision tolerances, especially if its cold and rainy outside.

Jason
 
Gotta ask...

So, if a bike's been sitting for a while, is it recommended that the sump be drained before attempting to start it?

If I were to drain the sump and replace that oil with fresh oil in the tank, would that ease starting?

Finally, is there a "step-by-step" procedure for lapping the oil pump body to minimize drain-back?

So many questions.....

Thanks in advance.
 
David,

I have owned many bikes with the dreaded wet-sump-problem and have never drained the crankcase prior to starting. However, after starting, I do let the bike idle for several minutes, alowing the pump sufficient time to scavange oil from the crank case and circulate it back to tank.

There is an excellent procedure for checking/lapping the oil pump in various Norton work shop manuals. If you don't have this information in any any of your manuals or documents, let us know and one of us will get it to you.

Jason
 
David,

The reason I drained it was to make the engine easier to kick over when cold. My bike can be a challenge to cold start and this helps a bit. I need all the help I can get!

Debby
 
oil pump maintenance

Just a reminder. Lapping the body of the pump to reduce excessive side clearances is normal maintenance of this style pump. But be advised it adresses only one of 4 pump leak-thru paths and should not be thought of a complete pump maintenance, but rather as a improving a dying pump.
4 leak paths.......
These three feed out to the crank ......
gear ends to body (lap body)
pump gear teeth end to body
pump gear to gear clearance

and last
cross cavity leakage down the shaft to the scavange side of the pump and back down to the sump
 
If the tank is completely empty, drain the sump and refill the tank before starting. Failure to do this will result in lack of oil flow to the bearings until the scavenge side of the pump can pick up the oil and return it to the tank where it is available for the pressure side.

If the tank is low but oil is visible, you can go ahead and start the engine and let the scavenge side (which is much larger) refill the tank.
 
I pretty much just drain em, unless I have recently ridden em.
When I return the oil the to the tank, it gives me a good reference as to the oil level, I know the sump is empty and I can see if I need to add any.
It also allows for easier starting, no smoking, no oil discharge ...
It's not that big a deal.
 
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